Hand tool for straightening bent drum heads



Feb. 28, 1961 E. R. MOXON HAND TOOL FOR STRAIGHTENING BENT DRUM HEADS Filed July 15, 1959 e carfa 0 2,912,911 I HAND TOOL FOR smaion'rumo BENT DRUM HEADS Filed July 15, 1959," l te. 857,308

a claims. (CI. 81-15) This invention relates generally to a bending tool and more particularly to a tool of this type which has an adjustable work engaging member.

Because of the general utility as well as the cost of metal drums of 55 gallon capacity, there is great demand for their re-use. Unfortunately, too often when these drums have been shipped considerable distances, damages have been incurred including body dents and especially bending of the drum head adjacent the filling opening. However, it is possible still to use such second-hand dented and bent drums for most purposes in the domestic field.

In the case of foreign export sales, thereis a requirement that the bung closure on the filling or head opening be equipped with a cap seal, not only for duty purposes but also for safety, as well as for the prevention of pilferage and adulteration. Cap sealing is feasible during the filling and closing operation, but when the head of the drum adjacent the filling opening has been bent, cap sealing of the closure is not possible, since the sealing machine will not fit properly because of the tilt of the fitting at the opening. In such cases, it is necessary to withdraw the damaged drums from the filling and closing line, or if they have escaped detection during inspection, to return them from the port of loading. Such a re-shipment not only requires extra time and effort as well as cost of transportation, but there are many instances where the contents must be removed and the drums washed prior to re-use. A means for straightem ing bent drum heads, so that cap seals can be applied, would reduce the expense of cutting out damaged drums from the filling and closing line, or reshipping such drums from the loading port, and/or transferring the contents.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved means which may be used to straighten a bent drum head.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved bending tool for straightening bent drum heads adjacent the filling opening so that cap seals can be applied to the closure.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tool which is simple in construction, is easy to operate, and which can be made with great economy in cost and time.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the specification in the light of the figures of the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved bending tool in position for operation; and

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device.

The objects of the invention are obtained by the usev of a bent lever which has an adjustable and rotatable work engaging member at one end, the lever being pivoted on the rim of a drum, the head of which is to be straightened.

Referring to the figures of the drawing, there is disclosed in Fig. '1, a bent lever. in position on the rim of a.

2,972,917 Patented Feb. 28, 1961 not possible to apply a cap seal to the closure 12 because the axis of the opening and so that of the closure is no longer normal to the drum head and the, cap sealing machine cannot function to apply the sealing cap.

In order to correct such a head deformation, and to permit closure or cap sealing, a straightening tool is provided consisting of a bent lever, indicated generally at 20, comprising a lever handle at 21 and a lifting end at 22, separated by a heel or fulcrum at 23. Lever 20 is shown bent so that there is an angle between the handle and the lifting end of approximately 10 at the fulcrum 23, for ease in use, although a straight lever could be used. In the usual manufacture of the lever, it is made from steel strap, with dimensions of /2 inch in thickness and 1% inches wide.

At the lifting end or pry 22, there is an opening 24, through which is inserted a rotatable work engaging member 25, formed from an angled steel rod, so as to consist of a handle portion at 26, a post or pivot member at 27, and a work engaging lip at 28, the handle portion 26 and the work engaging lip 28 lying in the same plane and indicated at right angles to the pivot member 27. For ease of application, the work engaging member 28 may have a tapered construction. In order to prevent the rotatable work engaging member 25 from slipping through the opening 24, it is common to apply a seating member at 29, for example, a nut or a piece of square stock which is attached to the pivot member 27.

In the operation of the bending tool for straightening drum heads adjacent their filling openings, pressure can be applied to any portion of the openings from the under-' Thus there has been shown and described a means by A which the head opening of a drum may be straightened for the application of cap sealing to the closure.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention, as hereinbefore set forth, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A lever for use in straightening an inward deformation adjacent a filling opening in a drum head comprising a handle at one end thereof and a lifting end at the other end thereof and a fulcrum separating said handle from said lifting end, said lifting end having a perfora' tion therein, and a work engaging member rotatably mounted in said perforation and having a lip for engage ment with the underside of said drum adjacent said deformation, said perforation being spaced from said fulcrum at a distance such that said work engaging member will project through said filling opening when said lever is positioned operatively on the rim of said drum head.

2. In the lever as defined in claim 1 said work engaging member including a handle portion for rotation,

said lever being bent at an angle of 10 between saidhandle and said litfing end at said fulcrum.

3. A tool for the purpose described comprising a lever divided into a handle and a lifting end and separated by a fulcrum to provide mechanical advantage at said handle, and annangled work engaging member supported by said lifting end,"said work engaging member comprising an angled element having a'handle at one end andv a work engaging lip at the other end and joined together by a pivot member, said lifting end having a perforation for receiving said work engaging member, said last mentioned member having a-s eating member supported by 10 said pivot member for holding said work engaging mem her in engagement with saidlifting end.

4 References-Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Junkers Dec. 11, 1923 Williams July 29, 1941 Perkins Apr. 11, 1950 Sanchez Aug. 5, 1952 Boylgin June 12, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS France Dec. 13, 1932 

